The Osceola times., 1887-10-22

himself, aud whom Ceoff Hamilton
came into the sittng-room at No. Is
few minutes later. he found his friend
Townsend hanging out of the window.
Hello, Geei' he said. whats up.
You look dauedl Seen a ghost?"
"No, but the prettiest girl in tha
world. She was here. She said she
was my sister. She asked me To 90
and look for-mysclf, while she went
TO the station for her luggage"
"Then she'll be back
mot she! She turned the other
way
Then who in the world is she, and
what brought her herePn
81 suspect that you know all about
that, you rascal! She's one OF your
army of martyrs, take it'
Rubbish. am the martyrl What's
this?' He had picked up Rosalind's
note from the writing-table. sc.
Hamilton, Esq Now for the heart OF
the mystery" He opened the note
and read it. Then he threw himself
into a chair with very red face. Then
he laughed. Then | am afraid he
swore.
Meanwhile Rosalind, with her heart
humping half with fright and half
with triumph, was speeding homeward.
sne flew to Letty's room, and found
that young person on her bed reading
a novel.
There Rosie cried, throwing
down the packet, "never say again that
| am not your best friend! There are
your letters and your photograph, and
all the keep-sakes you gave that poor
dear man from time to time, and you
ought to be ashamed of yourself!'
"WhctY cried unabashed Lefty.
"Did he give them up? He is darl.
ingr'
NO answered Rosalind, calmly.
81 stole them"
80. you dear, delightful darlingl
How sweet Of you! Poor boy. how sor-
ry he will bel BUT what fun! What
is this written outside? Us likeness
and letters. Very precious Poor,
dear Geofl, how fond he is of met
And she gave little sentimental sigh.
Had you not better open the thing
and see if you have them all right
said practical Rosie. Here, cut The
knot
No sooner said than done. A cabi-
net photograph fell out, then piece Of
deep, crimson ribbon, few faded how-
ers, and two or three notes.
This is such a good likeness Tom
had better have it," said Lefty, as she
took up the picture. which had fallen
face downward on the bed. Look,
Rosiein
Rosie looked, and behold, it was q
likeness of a tall, handsome girl, who
bore not the slightest resemblance to
winsome little Lettie. Beneath was
written in a firm and dashing woman's
hand the one word Louie"
The sisters looked at one another
with blank faces. A glance at the
notes revealed the same dashing hand.
80 you are not the only one, and |
made fool of my self and robbed the
mans drawer for nothing!'' cried Ro.
salind. 30. if had but known"
"Ncver mind, dear said Lefty; !
am sure ! don't. But wish l knew
what he sees to admire in that black
woman. just pack her up and send
her back to him.
A tap at the door interrupted them.
II was Il maid to announce that Mr.
Townsend was il the drawing-room
He wanted to see Miss Maitland for
few minutes on business. He had ;
message and little packet to deliver.
Tell Mr.. Townsend / am going di-
rectly,' said Rosalind.
80, Rosie! do you mind9' cried
Lefty, as the maid went out. ''He has
sent my picture, l suppose, and he
wants his black woman back. Tell
him we think her frightful. Are you
sure you do not mind seeing him?"
Not in the least" said Rosalind.
81 saw his likeness in their sitting
room and he is plain and elderly. Give
me those things and trust to my in
genuity to get myself out of the scrape.
They can not say much when they
know it was another girls photograph
| carried Off"
And just as she was--in her muddy
little boots and with the wind-blown,
untidy hair-she went downstairs; and
it still is, and it ever will remain Il
mystery what those two said to one
another when they stood face To face
But Geol got back his precious
packet and Lefty her photograph; she
gave it to Tom forthwith and he was
delighted.
She is now Mrs. Crichton. Hamil.
ton was finally captured by n prettl
young widow. do not knG " what be
came of "Louie,n but Rosalind mar
ried Gerard Townsend, and he still
thinks she is the prettiest woman in the